Archive For: NORTH CAROLINA – All Cruising News

Below, you will discover our COMPLETE listing of North Carolina cruising news/postings from fellow cruisers, arranged in chronological order, based on publication date. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO NARROW YOUR SELECTION of NC cruising news to those messages which pertain to a specific geographic sub-region, locate the RED, vertically stacked menu, on the right side of this, and all Cruisers’ Net pages. Click on “North Carolina.” A drop down menu will appear, with a blue background, Now, click on “NC Regional Cruising News.” A sub-drop-down menu will now appear, listing 13 North Carolina geographic sub-regions. Select your waters of interest, and after clicking on your choice, a list of messages will appear, confined to the sub-region you have picked!

The intersection of the Waterway and Lockwoods Folly has been a Problem Stretch for years and requires almost annual dredging. The missing ICW buoy is stationed on the southside of the channel in the heart of the intersection.

Bennett Brothers Yachts/Cape Fear Marina, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, is located on the eastern banks of the northeast Cape Fear River, just north of the Isabel Holmes – Highway 133 bascule bridge, and only a few steps from the downtown Wilmington waterfront.

Elizabeth City, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR and the friendliest-to-boaters community on the Waterway, is located on the Pasquotank River off the northeast corner of Albemarle Sound and at the southern end of the Dismal Swamp Canal Route. With the canal just re-opened to navigation, this wonderful community continues its calendar of exciting events, making a stop at Mariners Wharf in the heart of Elizabeth City a must!

This Local Notice supersedes the numerous LNMs posted this year. Note the 24hrs a day closure! Stay tuned for possible changes. With a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, the Alligator River Bridge crosses the Waterway on the southern shore of Albemarle Sound.

SEC NC BNM 136-18

NC- AICW – Alligator River Swing Bridge Closure Mariners are advised that the US 64 (Alligator River) Swing Bridge, over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway will remain in the closed-to-navigation position 24 hours a day from Wednesday, 6:00 AM, March 14, 2018, through 6 PM on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. The bridge will be undergoing maintenance and will not be able to open for emergencies. READ MORE!

The bridge has a vertical clearance of 14 feet above mean high water in the closed position and a horizontal clearance of 100 feet in each navigation span. Mariners should navigate the waterway with extreme caution and due
regard for prevailing conditions on the waterway.
Height restrictions in place for boat traffic under Alligator River Bridge in NC

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The U.S. Highway 64 Alligator River Bridge in Columbia is closed to navigation for boats at or over 14 feet in height until 6 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2018, for maintenance.

The restriction went into place Wednesday at 6 a.m. and the swing bridge will remain in the closed-to-navigation position 24 hours a day until its reopening.

Boats that are able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The Croatan Sound to the Pamlico Sound can be used for boats that are unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position.

With a closed vertical clearance of 14ft, the Alfred Cunningham Bridge connects New Bern and James City crossing the intersection of the Trent and Neuse Rivers. New Bern is home to SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, New Bern Grand Marina on the northern banks of the Trent River.

NC – NEUSE RIVER – TRENT RIVER – ALFRED CUNNINGHAM BRIDGE – CLOSED TO NAVIGATION
The U.S. 70/Alfred C. Cunningham Bridge over the Trent River, mile 0.0, at New Bern, NC will be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the 2018 Neuse River Bridge Run. The bridge will maintained in the closed position from 6:45 a.m. through 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies, if at least 5 minutes notice is given. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. Mariners should adjust their transits accordingly and should use caution when transiting the area. Chart 11552 LNM 11/18

These closures for maintenance are part of a year long project begun in July, see LNM: Upcoming Maintenance. And as past experience has taught, you may expect changes in these announced dates (see https://cruisersnet.net/168675). For more on an alternate route to avoid these closures, see https://cruisersnet.net/168117. The Alligator River Bridge crosses the Alligator River section of the Waterway at Statute Mile 84, south of flashing marker #12, just south of where the Waterway exits Albemarle Sound.

Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (Alligator River) – US 64 (Alligator River Bridge) – be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate bridge maintenance from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the following dates. READ MORE!

During these closure periods the bridge will open on signal, if at least 2 hours notice is given. The bridge will also remain in the closed-to-navigation position 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Alternative work dates for these closure periods will be from noon on Thursday, January 18, 2018, through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018; and from noon on Thursday, March 22, 2018, through 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2018. If the alternative work dates from noon on Thursday, January 18, 2018, through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, are used, the bridge will also remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from January 22, 2018, through March 14, 2018; except for scheduled daily openings at noon, if at least 2 hours notice is given. If the alternative work dates from noon on Thursday, January 18, 2018, through 6 p.m. on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, are not used, the bridge will also remain in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, from January 17, 2018, through March 14, 2018; except for scheduled daily openings at noon, if at least 2 hours notice is given. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. During the 24 hour closure periods, the bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and the Croatan Sound to the Pamlico Sound can be used as an alternative route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. During the closure periods with scheduled openings at noon, the bridge will be able to open up for emergencies, if at least one hour notice is given. During the bridge maintenance, a barge will be placed in one navigation span and the other navigation span will be open for vessels to transit through the bridge. The bridge has a vertical clearance of 14 feet above mean high water in the closed position and a horizontal clearance of 100 feet in each navigation span. Work vessels may be reached on VHF-FM channel 16 and the project foreman may be reached at (919) 437-4763 or (443) 790-8905. Mariners should navigate the waterway with extreme caution and due regard for prevailing conditions on the waterway. All others should adjust their transits accordingly and use caution when transiting the area. LNM 01/18

The best way to get through this area is to avoid it altogether by exiting the ICW via the Little River Inlet and enjoying a short relaxing sail across Long Bay to re-enter via the Cape Fear River. In eight trips up and down the ICW we have always done this outside hop. In addition, there is a beautiful anchorage off Bird Island at the mouth of the Little River Inlet, avoiding the usually crowded anchorage in Calabash Creek.
At the mouth of the Cape Fear River, the marina at Bald Head Island is an excellent stop.
Jim Lea

The Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, an NC DOT Rest Area facility, and are located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC.

Hello!
Please find below the programs planned at Dismal Swamp State Park for the rest of March. We are bringing back our popular Sunset Paddles again this year starting with the Spring Equinox (and hopefully the weather will warm up by next week)! READ MORE!

Spring Hike, Sat, 03/17/2018 – 11:00am
Meet at Visitor Center
Dismal Swamp State Park is turning 10 years old this year! That’s right…we’ve been around for a decade already. Come out and join us for a hike to celebrate. Learn a bit of park history and log some miles for your NC 100 Mile Challenge.

Experience the Equinox Sunset Paddle, Tue, 03/20/2018 – 6:00pm
Meet at Boat Launch
It’s the first day of spring! Experience the Equinox with an after-hours sunset paddle along the historic Dismal Swamp Canal. You’ll learn a little bit about the equinox and also some park history, because tomorrow is Dismal Swamp’s 10th birthday! Don’t forget that paddling miles count for your NC 100 Mile Challenge.
*Spots are limited for this program, so you MUST pre-register by calling the office at 252-771-6593.*

Wagon Rides, Starting Sun, 03/25/2018 and then every Sunday through May 27 at 11 am and at 2 pm
Meet at Visitor Center
Take a ride aboard the open-air Dismal Swamp Express and enjoy the scenery along Canal Road along with the spring weather! With stops at the liquor still and lighter boat replicas, you’ll learn about the Swamp’s colorful past and how it came to be a park. Wildlife sightings are also possible!
The ride covers just over two miles and usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. First come, first served–wagon seats 15-20 comfortably. In case of a large crowd, a second run may be made if staffing allows.

TRACK Trail Hike, Sat, 03/31/2018 – 11:00am
Meet at Visitor Center
Join the ranger for a kid-friendly guided hike along the park’s TRACK Trail. If you are not familiar with the TRACK Trail program, you will learn what it is and how it works.

April Sneak Peek:

Statewide Star Party in the Swamp, Fri, 04/20/2018 – 7:30pm to 9:30pm
Meet at Visitor Center Parking Lot
Join us at the Dismal Swamp State Park for a Statewide Star Party event! The Swamp offers one of the darker places in the area to observe the stars. Pre-registration is required for this program–call the park office at 252-771-6593 to sign up.
Rain date Saturday, 21 April 2018, same place, same time. Event will be held indoors if the rain date is also rained out!

May Save-the-Date:
Paddle for the Border, Sat, 05/05/2018 – 8 am
*This event is full, but you can get on the waiting list. Also, the park will need volunteers!*

The Dismal Swamp Canal was closed to navigation on Mar 5 due to a downed tree, see Nav Alert, immediately north of the Welcome Center. Welcome Center Docks and information are provided at the Dismal Swamp Canal Welcome Center, an NC DOT Rest Area facility, and are located adjacent to the Dismal Swamp State Park, offering trails, exhibits and ongoing programs in Camden County, NC. Our thanks to Dona Stewart for this good news.

The intersection of Shallotte Inlet and the Waterway has been an infamous Problem Stretch for years, but these observations and detailed report from experienced cruiser, Tom Hale, will help you plan for your passage through this Problem Stretch.

The real NC trouble spot according to the USACE survey of February 18 is in Shallotte inlet. They are reporting depths in the 4-6 foot range according to the survey, and that is what we found in November. That channel is very narrow, perhaps as narrow as 30′. When transiting Shallotte it is wise to time your transit on a rising tide to get the extra water level help. Please see Shallotte Survey for more detail.

There is a SAIL Magazine Secrets of the ICW FB page which has a lot of charts and tracks for dealing with the known trouble spots along the Atlantic ICW.
Tom Hale – reprinted with permission from AGLCA’s Forum

Whether you want to revisit the past, satisfy your curiosities, discover the arts or explore your true nature, you can do it from the heart of the Inner Banks – Washington, North Carolina. Washington City Docks, A CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, has proven to be well worth the journey up the Pamlico River, especially this time of year!

This longterm dredging project is in the main channels of Beaufort Inlet.

SEC NC BNM 126-18
NORTH CAROLINA – BEAUFORT INLET AND CORE SOUND (CHART 11545)
MARINERS ARE ADVISED THAT DREDGING OPERATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE IN AND AROUND BEAUFORT INLET FROM MARCH 08 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2018. THE DREDGE MCFARLAND CAN BE REACHED ON VHF CHANNELS 13 AND 16. MARINERS ARE ADVISED TO USE CAUTION WHILE TRANSITING THIS AREA. Week 10/18

Intracoastal Yacht Sales, a long-time CRUISERS’ NET SPONSOR, offers full service brokerage representation from three locations, Wrightsville Beach, NC, Little River, SC and Charleston, SC. You will want to see these new offerings!